Skip to main content

Perinatal Suicide Tied to Intimate Partner Problems, Depression, Substance Use

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 3, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2024 -- Perinatal suicide is often associated with intimate partner problems (IPPs) and behavioral health issues, according to a study published online June 27 in JAMA Network Open.

Kara Zivin, Ph.D., from Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, and colleagues used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2003 through 2021) to determine what circumstances are associated with perinatal suicide. The analysis included 1,150 perinatal decedents (aged 10 to 50 years) who were pregnant or postpartum at death and 17,655 female, nonperinatal decedents.

The researchers found that compared with matched nonperinatal decedents, perinatal decedents had higher odds of IPPs (odds ratio [OR], 1.45), a recent argument (OR, 1.33), depressed mood (OR, 1.39), substance abuse or other abuse (OR, 1.21), physical health problems (OR, 1.37), and death of a family member or friend (OR, 1.47) as contributing circumstances. A qualitative analysis emphasized the importance of mental health and identified that 12.4 percent of decedents had postpartum depression.

"This study provides insights into complex factors surrounding maternal suicide, and it highlights opportunities for further research to understand long-term consequences of perinatal mental health," the authors write. "These findings also underscore the need for targeted evidence-based interventions and effective policies targeting mental health, substance use, and IPPs to prevent maternal suicide and enhance maternal health outcomes."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

High Social Media Use Tied to Depression in Only Some Teens

TUESDAY, July 2, 2024 -- High social media use is only tied to increased depression in teens who are already vulnerable, according to a study published online June 26 in...

Small Differences in Weight Change With First-Line Antidepressants

MONDAY, July 1, 2024 -- For eight first-line antidepressants, small differences are seen in mean weight change, with the least weight gain with bupropion, according to a study...

Social Anxiety Tied to Later Risk for Suicidal Ideation, Depression

FRIDAY, June 21, 2024 -- Baseline social anxiety symptoms are associated with two-year suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, according to a study published online June 10...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.